Apparatus for making frozen comestibles

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for making frozen comestibles including a base having a plurality of apertures formed within said first side thereof, and a plurality of molds attached to or formed integrally with the base. Each of the molds includes a receiving surface and an opening aligned with a corresponding one of the apertures of the base. Each of the molds is moveable between a first position, in which a substantial portion of at least one mold is positioned within the interior portion of the base and said receiving surface forms a molding cavity that is adapted to receive a comestible to be frozen, and a second position, in which a substantial portion of the mold extends outwardly from the first side of the base and the receiving surface of the mold is exposed externally.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/156,646 filed on Jan. 16, 2014 entitled “APPARATUS FOR MAKING FROZENCOMESTIBLES”, which relates to and claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/753,333 entitled “ICE POPMAKER,” filed on Jan. 16, 2013, the entireties of the foregoingapplications being incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for making frozencomestibles and, more particularly, to an apparatus for making frozencomestibles having molds that are reversible.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Apparatus having molds that form frozen comestibles, such as ice pops,have been in use commercially and domestically for many years. Removingthe ice pops from the molds and cleaning the molds after the ice popsare removed from the molding cavities have remained inconvenientprocesses. Thus, there is a need for an apparatus that utilizes ice popmolding cavities that reverse their shapes when the ice pops areremoved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment, an apparatus for making frozen comestibles, comprisinga base having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, aninterior portion intermediate the first and second sides, and at leastone aperture formed within the first side; and at least one moldattached to the base, the at least one mold including a receivingsurface and an opening aligned with the at least one aperture of thebase, wherein the at least one mold is moveable between a firstposition, in which a substantial portion of the at least one mold ispositioned within the interior portion of the base and the receivingsurface forms a molding cavity that is adapted to receive a comestibleto be frozen, and a second position, in which a substantial portion ofthe at least one mold extends outwardly from the first side of the baseand the receiving surface of the at least one mold is exposed externallyat the first side of the base.

In an embodiment, the at least one mold is adapted to move from thefirst position to the second position when a frozen comestible isremoved from the at least one mold. In an embodiment, the at least onemold includes a plurality of molds, and the at least one aperture of thebase includes a plurality of apertures, each of the openings of theplurality of molds is aligned with a corresponding one of the pluralityof apertures of the base.

In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a plate attached to the basefor securing the plurality of molds to an underside of the first side ofthe base. In an embodiment, the base includes a plurality of lips, eachof which extends from the underside of the first side of the base andsurrounds a corresponding one of the plurality of apertures of the base,wherein each of the plurality of molds includes a collar having an uppersurface, a lower surface opposite the upper surface, and a lip extendingfrom the upper surface, and wherein the plate includes an upper surface,a lower surface opposite the upper surface of the plate, and a pluralityof standoffs each of which extends from the upper surface of the plate,the lip of the collar of each of the plurality of molds bears on theunderside of the first side of the base, each of the plurality of lipsof the base bears on the upper surface of the collar of a correspondingone of the plurality of molds, and each of the standoffs of the platebears on the bottom surface of the collar of a corresponding one of theplurality of molds. In an embodiment, the underside of the base includesa plurality of bosses extending therefrom, and the plate includes aplurality of holes each of which extends from the upper surface of theplate to the lower surface of the plate, wherein each of the pluralityof holes of the plate aligns with a corresponding one of the pluralityof bosses of the base, each of the aligned plurality of holes of theplate and the plurality of bosses of the base is adapted to receive afastener for securing the plate to the base.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of molds is made from a flexiblematerial. In an embodiment, the flexible material includes siliconerubber. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of molds includes a bulbshape. In an embodiment, each of the openings of the plurality of moldsis circular in shape. In an embodiment, each of the openings of theplurality of molds includes a cross-sectional shape that is selectedfrom the group consisting of elliptical, square, star, and diamond. Inan embodiment, each of the plurality of molds includes a fill line.

In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a plurality of sticks each ofwhich is adapted to engage the molding cavity of a corresponding one ofthe plurality of molds. In an embodiment, each of the plurality ofsticks includes a positioning ring having a first side, a second sideopposite the first side of the positioning ring, a stem extending fromthe first side of the positioning ring, and a handle extending from thesecond side of the positioning ring, the positioning ring of each of theplurality of sticks is adapted to be positioned on the collar of acorresponding one of the plurality of molds and the stem of each of theplurality of sticks is adapted to be inserted within the molding cavityof the corresponding one of the plurality of molds. In an embodiment,the stem of each of the sticks includes a through hole.

In an embodiment, an apparatus for making frozen comestibles, comprisinga base having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, aninterior portion intermediate the first and second sides, and at leastone aperture formed within the first side; and at least one mold formedintegrally with the base, the at least one mold including a receivingsurface and an opening aligned with the at least one aperture of thebase, wherein the at least one mold is moveable between a firstposition, in which a substantial portion of the at least one mold ispositioned within the interior portion of the base and the receivingsurface forms a molding cavity that is adapted to receive a comestibleto be frozen, and a second position, in which a substantial portion ofthe at least one mold extends outwardly from the first side of the baseand the receiving surface of the at least one mold is exposed externallyat the first side of the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference ismade to the following detailed description of an exemplary embodimentconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an ice pop maker and associated icepop sticks constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the ice pop maker shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the ice pop maker shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the ice pop maker shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the ice pop maker and sticks shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the ice pop maker and sticks shownin FIG. 1, taken along the line 6-6 and looking in the direction of thearrows;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the ice pop maker and sticks shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the ice pop maker and sticks, theice pop maker being shown with three molding cavities having theirshapes reversed, and a detached stick is shown with a frozen comestibleformed thereon;

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the ice pop maker shown in FIG.8;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the ice pop maker and sticks shownin FIG. 8; and

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the ice pop maker and sticks shownin FIG. 8, the cross-section of the ice pop maker being taken along theline 11-11 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate an apparatus for making frozen comestibles10 and a plurality of sticks 12 constructed in accordance with anembodiment. In an embodiment, the apparatus 10 includes a base 14 havinga first side 11, a second side 13 opposite the first side 11, and aninterior portion 15 intermediate the first and second sides 11, 13. Inan embodiment, the apparatus 10 includes a plurality of molds 16attached to the base 14. In an embodiment, the molds 16 are attached tothe first side 11 of the base 14 and extend within the interior portion15 of the base 14 from the first side 11 towards the second side 13. Inanother embodiment, the molds 16 are formed integrally with the base 14.In an embodiment, each of the molds 16 includes a molding cavity 17formed therein. In an embodiment, each of the molds 16 is sized, shaped,and adapted to receive a comestible (e.g., a liquid comestible or amoldable solid comestible) to be frozen. In another embodiment, theapparatus 10 includes at least one of the molds 16. In an embodiment,each of the molds 16 includes a receiving surface 18, a non-receivingsurface 20 opposite the receiving surface 18, and a circular-shapedopening 22 that is surrounded circumferentially by a circular-shapedcollar 24. In an embodiment, the collar 24 includes an upper surface 26,a lower surface 28 opposite the upper surface 26, and an upward-facinglip 30 extending from the upper surface 26. In an embodiment, each ofthe molds 16 includes a fill line (not shown in the Figures) positionedat or proximate to the upper surface 26 thereof to indicate a properlevel of the comestible (e.g., fluids) to be placed within the moldingcavity 17 of the mold 16. In certain embodiments, the fill line includesa step, an indentation, or a printed fill line.

In other embodiments, each of the molds 16 may have other shapes andsizes (e.g., elliptical, square, star-shaped, diamond, etc. incross-section). In an embodiment, each of the molds 16 is made ofsilicone rubber. In an embodiment, each of the molds 16 has a durometerof about 40 A. In an embodiment, each of the molds 16 has a durometer ofabout 50 A. In an embodiment, each of the molds 16 has a durometer ofabout 60 A. In other embodiments, each of the molds 16 may be made fromother suitable materials known in the art and/or have other durometervalues. In an embodiment, each of the molds 16 is formed individuallyand is separate and distinct from the other molds 16. In an embodiment,the molds 16 are interconnected with one another and integrally formed.In various embodiments, the molds 16 may be fabricated by compressionmolding, injection molding, or by other suitable methods. In anembodiment, the apparatus 10 includes nine (9) of the molds 16. In otherembodiments, the apparatus 10 includes more or less than nine of themolds 16.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, in an embodiment, the base 14includes a sidewall 32 that supports the first side 11 thereof. In anembodiment, the first side 11 includes a plurality of circular-shapedapertures 36. In an embodiment, each of the apertures 36 communicateswith a corresponding one of the plurality of openings 22 of the molds16. In an embodiment, the first side 11 includes nine (9) of theapertures 36. In an embodiment, the apertures 36 are surroundedcircumferentially by downwardly facing lips 38 extending from anunderside 34 of the first side 11. In an embodiment, the underside 34further includes a plurality of bosses 40. In an embodiment, the base 14may be fabricated from plastic by injection molding.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the molds 16 are secured to the underside 34of the first side 11 of the base 14 by a plate 42. In an embodiment, theplate 42 includes an upper surface 44 and a lower surface 46 oppositethe upper surface 44, a plurality of holes 48, each of which extendsfrom the upper surface 44 to the lower surface 46, and a plurality ofstandoffs 50 extending from the upper surface 44 of the plate 42. In anembodiment, the plate 42 may be made of plastic or other suitablematerials, such as stainless steel.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 6 and 7, the plate 42 is secured to thebase 14 by a plurality of screws 52 that are positioned through theholes 48 in the plate 42. In other embodiments, the plate 42 can besecured to the base 14 by other fastening means known in the art, suchas rivets, adhesives, ultrasonic welding, etc. In an embodiment, thescrews 52 self-tap into the bosses 40 of the base 14. In anotherembodiment, the bosses 40 may include female threads. In an embodiment,the molds 16 are secured in the base 14 by the upward-facing lips 30 ofthe molds 16 bearing on the underside 34 of the first side 11, thedownward facing lip 38 of the first side 11 bearing on the upper surface26 of the collar 24 of the molds 16, and the standoffs 50 of the plate42 bearing on the bottom surface 28 of the collar 24.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, in an embodiment, each of the sticks 12includes a handle 54 and a stem 56. In an embodiment, the handle 54facilitates the handling of the stick 16. In an embodiment, the stem 56provides a surface on which a frozen comestible 62 may be formed. In anembodiment, a positioning ring 58 is positioned between the handle 54and the stem 56. In an embodiment, the stem 56 includes a through-hole60 positioned at a free end thereof and distal from the positioning ring58. In an embodiment, the through hole 60 is provided to maximize thegripping strength of the frozen comestible 62 on the stem 56 byproviding more surface area for the frozen comestible 62 and allowing areinforcing, transverse inner core (not shown) to form, which bracesagainst a bottom portion of the through hole 60 (for examples of thefrozen comestibles 62, such as ice pops, see FIGS. 8, 10 and 11). In anembodiment, each of the sticks 12 may be integrally formed out ofplastic or other suitable materials.

With reference to FIGS. 8 through 11, any one or all of the molds 16 maybe filled with a comestible to be frozen, such as, for example, a liquidbeverage (e.g., juices, flavored waters, energy drinks, sodas, milks,etc.) or a moldable solid comestible (e.g., puddings, melted chocolate,etc.). In an embodiment, each of the molding cavities 17 of the molds 16may be filled with a comestible to its respective fill line (not shown),and one of the sticks 12 is inserted into a corresponding one of thefilled molding cavities 17. For each of the sticks 12, the positioningring 58 thereof is placed and preferably centered on the collar 24 ofthe corresponding mold 16 so that the stem 56 of the stick 12 extendsinto the molding cavity 17 filled with the comestible. When the desirednumber of molds 16 is filled, the apparatus 10 is placed in a freezerfor a time sufficient to freeze the comestibles. When the comestiblesare frozen, each of the frozen comestibles 62 is formed and adheres tothe corresponding stick 12, in particular, the stem 56. As the stick 12is pulled out of the corresponding mold 16, the frozen comestible 62passes through the opening 22 of the mold 16 (see FIG. 6). In anembodiment, the mold 16 generates a frozen comestible 62 that is largerthan the opening of the collar 24, and the collar 24 is deformedelastically as the frozen comestible 62 passes through the opening 22,and an air-lock seal is established between the frozen comestible 62 andthe receiving surface 18 of the mold 16. As the frozen comestible 62continues to pass through the opening 22 of the mold 16, a vacuum isformed whereby the air-lock vacuum pulls (i.e., sucks) the receivingsurface 18 of the mold 16 through the collar 24, thereby reversing andinverting the shape of the mold 16 from a first, receiving position to asecond, inverted position. As the frozen comestible 62 is pulled furtherand the mold 16 is reversed (i.e., inverted), the frozen comestible 62begins to peel off of the receiving surface 18 of the mold 16 until thefrozen comestible 62 detaches from the mold 16. The foregoing enablesthe frozen comestibles 62 to be pulled out of the molds 16 in an easyand convenient manner. For example, the molds 16 do not have to besubjected to running water to loosen the frozen comestibles 62therefrom. Also, by inverting the molds 16, one can create frozencomestibles 62 with shapes that are not possible with rigid molds (e.g.,elliptical, square, star-shaped, diamond, etc.). Once the molds 16 arereversed, the receiving surfaces 18 of the molds 16 are fully exposedand may be conveniently cleaned. Once cleaned, each mold 16 is thenmanually pushed back (i.e., reverted) through its associated opening 22so that the shapes of the molds 16 are restored to their receivingshapes (i.e., for receiving the comestibles) corresponding to theirfirst, receiving position. In an embodiment, the molds 16 may bemanually moved between their first positions and their second positions.

It should be appreciated that the present invention provides numerousadvantages which include, for example, the automatic conversion of theshape of the mold 16 from the receiving shape to the reversed shape(i.e., from the first position to the second position) by the removal ofthe frozen comestible 62 from the mold 16. Additionally, the reversedshape of the mold 16 provides a convenient cleaning configuration of thereceiving surface 18 so as to lessen the time and effort required toclean the molds 16.

It will be understood that the embodiment described herein is merelyexemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variationsand modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. For instance, all such variations and modifications, inaddition to those described above, are intended to be included withinthe scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for making frozen comestibles,comprising: a base having a first side, a second side opposite saidfirst side, an interior portion intermediate said first and secondsides, and at least one aperture formed within said first side; and atleast one mold attached to said base, said at least one mold including areceiving surface and an opening aligned with said at least one apertureof said base, wherein said at least one mold is moveable between a firstposition, in which a substantial portion of said at least one mold ispositioned within said interior portion of said base and said receivingsurface forms a molding cavity that is adapted to receive a comestibleto be frozen, and a second position, in which a substantial portion ofsaid at least one mold extends outwardly from said first side of saidbase and said receiving surface of said at least one mold is exposedexternally at said first side of said base.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said at least one mold is adapted to move from said firstposition to said second position when a frozen comestible is removedfrom said at least one mold.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein saidat least one mold includes a plurality of molds, and said at least oneaperture of said base includes a plurality of apertures, each of saidopenings of said plurality of molds is aligned with a corresponding oneof said plurality of apertures of said base.
 4. The apparatus of claim3, further comprising a plate attached to said base for securing theplurality of molds to an underside of the first side of the base.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 4, wherein said base includes a plurality of lips,each of which extends from said underside of said first side of saidbase and surrounds a corresponding one of said plurality of apertures ofsaid base, wherein each of said plurality of molds includes a collarhaving an upper surface, a lower surface opposite said upper surface,and a lip extending from said upper surface, and wherein said plateincludes an upper surface, a lower surface opposite said upper surfaceof said plate, and a plurality of standoffs each of which extends fromsaid upper surface of said plate, said lip of said collar of each ofsaid plurality of molds bears on said underside of said first side ofsaid base, each of said plurality of lips of said base bears on saidupper surface of said collar of a corresponding one of said plurality ofmolds, and each of said standoffs of said plate bears on said bottomsurface of said collar of a corresponding one of said plurality ofmolds.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said underside of said baseincludes a plurality of bosses extending therefrom, and said plateincludes a plurality of holes each of which extends from said uppersurface of said plate to said lower surface of said plate, wherein eachof said plurality of holes of said plate aligns with a corresponding oneof said plurality of bosses of said base, each of said aligned pluralityof holes of said plate and said plurality of bosses of said base isadapted to receive a fastener for securing said plate to said base. 7.An apparatus for making frozen comestibles, comprising: a base having afirst side, a second side opposite said first side, an interior portionintermediate said first and second sides, and at least one apertureformed within said first side; and at least one mold formed integrallywith said base, said at least one mold including a receiving surface andan opening aligned with said at least one aperture of said base, whereinsaid at least one mold is moveable between a first position, in which asubstantial portion of said at least one mold is positioned within saidinterior portion of said base and said receiving surface forms a moldingcavity that is adapted to receive a comestible to be frozen, and asecond position, in which a substantial portion of said at least onemold extends outwardly from said first side of said base and saidreceiving surface of said at least one mold is exposed externally atsaid first side of said base.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein saidat least one mold includes a plurality of molds, and said at least oneaperture of said base includes a plurality of apertures, each of saidopenings of said plurality of molds is aligned with a corresponding oneof said plurality of apertures of said base.